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Lifting Our Spirits: Gardens and Books

My photo of the fish sculpture turned out to be double the dose of joy with the reflective pool which I didn’t really notice until I looked at the photo later.

Do you ever just get a little tired of the world we are stuck with until we find the COVID cure? I mean the distancing which is anything but social and the masks that make us all look like bank robbers?

I was feeling that way last weekend–the time when I miss people the most–and my guy and I decided to head over to the RBG in Hamilton. That’s the Royal Botanical Gardens, a place of respite and replenishing we’ve used for many years.

From the lilac gardens in May just in time for Mother’s Day picnics on the hillsides filled with blooming trees to the rose gardens a month or so later, and beyond, the RBG is well worth your time and the entrance fee to get in.

We started by buying our tickets and then heading through the building to the underground bridge, over which passes a major highway, and up out of the deep along a rising promenade. Several sets of steps beckoned us up and through the gardens on either side. We chose the one around the best vegetable garden I’ve seen this summer, past some lovely samples of annuals and towards a huge white tent full of chairs. Obviously they have events there in the middle of all the lush foliage.

Examples of many beautiful, healthy annuals.

This beckoning sculpture caught my eye immediately. Notice how the clouds parted to show off the hands so well.

One of our favourite trails was closed for renovations but I got this calming collection of green goodness anyhow. It reminded me of our walk at Roth Park back at home that morning. As soon as we walked into the trees, my mood lifted as though the trees saw us coming and wanted to welcome us with a fresh dose of oxygen given off just for me and my husband. I am reminded to get outside into the trees more often.

The Rock Garden was still beautiful although the tiny paths down through the trees and plants were closed, a distancing problem we decided. Still we enjoyed the outlooks and I wondered if the fairies were having more fun dancing with no people to interrupt their frolicking.

This Monarch butterfly stopover garden drew me in to read the sign. This is another way that botanical gardens help the environment so much. It occurred to me that back in the times I write about none of these protective things existed. Of course, nature looked after itself in many parts of our environment, although where I live used to be all forests and is now a landscape of fabulous farms feeding the world. Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.

I loved these orange lilies, like the kind we see everywhere in Ontario in July, although these are not the wild kind. They are spectacular!

Another trail beckons from the rim of the rock garden which we loved.

On the way up the path to the exit from the garden I captured these pink hibiscus. They show up so well here against the greenery overlooking the path. And the yellow bits add texture as well. I often wonder if gardeners are painters because they add in the under painting so beautifully. (Did you read The Underpainter by Jane Urquhart?)

I hope wandering through this post of gorgeous bounty has done for you what walking in the real thing did for me. And now pick up a great book to read to soothe your soul. That’s what I’m going to do!

For  Stories of People Making a Difference, Click on the Images Below

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6 Great Tips for Writers Today

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Research on my iPad. 1774: The Long Year of Revolution by Mary Beth Norton

In these new and different times, most of us have needed to use our imagination for things besides dreaming up intriguing characters and compelling plot lines. When I started my prequel to my Loyalist books, no libraries were open. No historic sites were open and no bookstores were open. My speaking gigs were all cancelled with no more being booked.

My life had drastically changed.

Here are some of the decisions that have kept me sane and able to write:

  1. The first and best decision was to put aside the new book about the one-room schoolhouse I attended as a little girl. This was a new genre for me and I waffled between writing a children’s book, a young adult book or an adult memoir book. When COVID-19 came along I realized my need to write what I know and not to reinvent myself; hence, my as yet unnamed prequel to the Loyalist trilogy. To date I have over 45,000 words written and the book is coming along well. And so am I.
  2. I soon realized that as much as I wanted to be informed about what was happening during this world pandemic, I had to spend 99% of my day NOT steeping my brain in the non-stop facts and factoids being spewed my way by various media. I thought about the influenza disaster during WWI and realized we have much more information coming at us today than they did. In some ways this is good. We can learn about the pandemic, the disease, and the ways to protect ourselves very quickly. The trouble comes when we allow the negative stories to take up all of our time. Our peace of mind disappears. That happened to me. Until I stopped watching the news, started working on jigsaw puzzles, spent the mornings in my office writing and started calling people I knew were alone and helping them in their loneliness.

    I finished 8 puzzles of an artist’s beautiful paintings.
  3. Rather than focusing on the things I couldn’t do, I began to look for alternate ways to fill the rest of my day (after my writing mornings). Prior to COVID-19, I had just finished recording my fourth book as an audio book. With my technician I got the files ready to send to ACX. This turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. With my previous 3 books, all on Audible, the process was quite speedy and only slowed down when I had not done something just right. With this book I thought I had straightened out the learning curve and I guess I have but I am still waiting to have my files approved  and it is about 3 months since I started this. Part of this was my fault in the beginning. My file was finally ready for them to review 3 weeks ago but I do not expect that to happen soon. Another writer friend of mine says it took 2-3 months for several of his books. These days, I log in and check but, so far, I keep seeing Pending Audio Review.  Feel free to check out my first three books in audio format!

  4. Though I love doing library research, I found that online research could work well. One thing needed was to always cite the source on any material I printed out as I know the day will come when I write that Sources I Have Used section at the end of this book. Giving credit for others’ ideas is important, especially in this world where shysters, thieves and others try to use writers’ works. I spend part of every month sending Cease and Desist notices to people who try to steal my books and sell them on their sites. There is also a case pending in Canada where certain credible institutions are using writers’ work for nothing. This is stealing and I sincerely hope that the higher courts stop this practice.

    Pages of research (and sources) that I’ve been excited to find on the Internet.
  5. Finally, I’ve been doing more reading of other authors. My bedside table pile has shrunk considerably, to the point where I will soon have to replenish it. A lot of my books I get from my daughter who shares my love of reading. I take her books and she brings me books. That practice is difficult just now as she lives on the other side of the country and we cannot visit. Thank goodness for FaceTime! I just wish I could send her books by using that platform or a similar one.
  6. The final thing that is helping both me as a person and in my writing is that my husband and I get out in the car whenever we can. We are careful about self-distancing–I even had to hold up my hand in traffic cop mode to stop a young lady from invading my space in a busy store one day. She just had not been thinking. She did stop immediately and I was able to leave the store without feeling compromised. I take pictures with my iPhone–thank goodness for phone cameras!–and concentrate on our beautiful world. Spring came late this year where I live but has been so much more appreciated because of it.

    A lovely herd of mustangs a few miles from where we live. Gorgeous!

Keep reading and writing or doing whatever is your special thing!

 

 

 

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An Amazing Wooden Bridge and Two Great Contests!

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West Montrose Covered Bridge

Last Sunday my husband and I decided to drive to a favorite spot just to see if and how the St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market might be open. We really just wanted a drive up through Mennonite country where some of my ancestors lived. After we checked out the market–yes, it was open but in a diminished sort of way–we drove further northeast to a place that is a remarkable piece of Ontario history–the West Montrose Covered Bridge.

It is a one-lane bridge spanning the Grand River and has signs on either end warning cars to yield; it’s the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. You have to be polite and take your turn to get across as it’s just one lane.

A car going across

We had to ask the two couples who had settled for a chat in front of this sign to move so that we could read it (in this time of Covid, you see), but they were most cooperative.

Built by John Bear in 1880. About the same time the Donnellys were causing havoc on the Roman Road near Lucan, Ontario.
Wild phlox bloomed beautifully across the Grand River, so aptly named.
Here you can see the length of the gorgeous structure.
A boat downriver and more wild flowers in the distance. What a beautiful place!

For those who love historical romance I’ve put The Loyalist’s Wife into this Giveaway! (even though my book is really historical fiction.) You’ll love it! Check out all the books included at the link access icon below.

Contest is from June 8-June 17.

Another contest I’ve entered with The Man Behind the Marathons: How Ron Calhoun Helped Terry Fox and Other Heroes Make Millions for Charity is the Inspirational and Non-Fiction contest run by BookSweeps from

June 21-July 1.

There will be beautiful graphics coming soon but I wanted to give you an early heads-up. Watch my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages for more info on June 21. Meanwhile enjoy your reading!

 

Elaine Cougler recording her book

Let’s Be Positive!

Never has there been in my lifetime a point when Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking idea has resonated so much. Every TV channel pounds away at Covid-19 stories, most of them negative. All the news stations are giving the statistics of how many cases there are, how many have died, and how many nursing homes are in dire straits.

Yes, we are part of a larger community and we need to know what is happening. As John Donne said, “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee” as he talked about our being part of a whole and not just individuals with no thought to our neighbours. And I believe that.

What I don’t believe in is hammering away at negativity 24/7.

Human beings are meant to be happy (my takeaway from a book I read years ago) and I work hard to stay that way. I’ve had my share of bad things happen, the worst of which was suffering a number of strokes in my forties. How I recovered mentally and physically was by cutting out the negative stuff and actively filling my life with positives.

So I spend my day shutting out the negatives that I can’t change. I turn off the television, I choose uplifting reading, and I surround myself with positive people.

Here are some of the good things that I’ve noticed since this Covid-19 crisis swooped in on the world:

  1. Positive messages thanking our caregivers everywhere we look.
  2. The sky is blue, blue, blue.
  3. People are out walking, distancing to care for each other, and singing free online concerts.
  4. My days are not nearly so hectic as in pre-covid times.
  5. I’m writing a prequel to my Loyalist trilogy and loving it!
  6. My husband and I are making wonderful meals and loving them. We do miss eating out but some recipes I’m making we haven’t had for years. (See my own creation below Elaine’s Banana Oatmeal Muffins)

To give my readers the chance to read positive books, I chose to be part of 3 Booksweeps contests coming up. Keep watching for these as free books are part of the deal. I’ll announce each of the three in my twice monthly newsletter. (Sign up here on the left side of the page.)

They start May 25, June 8 and June 22. Join me!

Another positive is that you can help quash those trolls who are stealing authors’ books and giving them away free online. This has happened to me many times. I use software to see if my titles are mentioned anywhere on the web and I’ve found them stolen more times than I can count. Even my name and my book write-ups are taken. We need to go after these people. I’m asking for your help. Here is a link where you can sign a petition to shut down one of these sites. I hope you will.

Please join the Authors Guild in signing this open letter to the Internet Archive calling for the immediate shut down of the National Emergency Library. The National Emergency Library is piracy, pure and simple, no matter how the Internet Archive and its founder Brewster Kahle cloak it as a social benefit. Making hundreds of thousands of copyrighted books available for download is theft. It is illegal and it needs to be shut down.

Can you join me and take action? Click here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-our-open-letter-to-internet-archive-to-shut-down-the-so-called-national-emergency-library?source=email&

Thanks!

And now, as promised, my very own recipe for

Elaine’s Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Sift together:

1 c. all purpose flour,  1/4 c. sugar,  3 tsp. baking powder,  1/2 tsp. salt

Add:

1/2 c. coconut,  1 c. quick-cooking rolled oats

In a separate bowl, mix:

1 slightly beaten egg,  1 c. milk,  1 tsp. almond extract,  3 T. salad oil

Add to dry ingredients, stirring just to moisten. At the same time, add 2 crushed ripe bananas. Fill 12 greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes. Yummy!

Don’t forget about The Man Behind the Marathons

Audio Book Coming Soon

The Ultimate Author Reading—An Audiobook!

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Elaine:  “Can you hear me?…Jack?…Are you there?”

………

Jack:  “Elaine?…We can start now….GO!”

Elaine:  “Chapter One………On October 15, 1979, Ron Calhoun received a surprising call…”

On December 10, 2019, I sat in my good friend Jack London’s recording studio and we started to work on my fourth book. We had already recorded and posted with ACX Audible the three books of my Loyalist trilogy and I was anxious to put this one in the can as well.

In the photo above I am sitting in the tiny sound booth, my iPad open to The Man Behind the Marathons resting on the music stand before me and all connected to headphones in front of a great mic. The room is cosy this night, the little heater silently warming me as I sit on the high-backed stool and immerse myself in the story.

My iPad sticks magnetically to the metal music stand so that we don’t have to worry about me dropping it to the floor. A fresh water bottle is waiting for me when I arrive each night, and I take sips often to keep my voice lubricated. We take breaks when needed.

I’m excited. Jack is, too. We both know the drill. He runs the recording equipment, a bank of screens and squiggly lines that he somehow understands exactly how to operate.

I sit in the studio and try to keep my thoughts focused on the words before me. I imagine I’m performing at an author reading. There are real people out there and–ever the entertainer–I put life into the voices of the different characters and the narrator who is telling this wonderful story.

I keep self doubts at bay by remembering how audiences seem to love my reading; in fact, one librarian told me that, when I had left them one night after a reading, everyone agreed they could listen to me read the whole book! That gave me the courage to record all of my books myself. My hope is that listeners will have an extra bit of enjoyment knowing that the author is doing the reading.

Here is Jack posing for the photographer before we start the actual recording one night. You can see some of his recording equipment but certainly not all of it.

Jack is a singer/songwriter himself as well as the owner and master of his recording studio. He’s a little like me that way. When he wants to do something he just figures it out and goes ahead. He is a tireless worker and quite the perfectionist, both as a singer and a technician. He hears every little snuffle, strangely pronounced word, motion of my foot on the stool, clearing of the throat and I don’t know what all. And he stops me. He wants the recording to be perfect. It is Jack’s voice you hear doing the intros etc. on all of my audio books. Have a listen. It’s the most mellow sound you’ll ever hear!

A great big thank you always goes out to Jack!

In this final photo we have set up the shot to show where we both are during recording. Of course when actually recording, the sliding door is closed tightly and the sound muffling curtains are closed. I am shut into my booth and no sound gets in from outside. That is what makes the recording so clean. Thanks to my husband, Ron, who took these shots before one of our recording sessions a few weeks ago.

There are other ways to get your books out on Audible which, by the way, is connected to Amazon so that your audio books are listed as options just as Kindle ebooks are. Here is one of my books (The Loyalist’s Wife) where you can see that.

Audible and ACX are connected so that when you want your books on Audible, you go through ACX. You can upload your own files or you can search for someone on their site who will read/record your book for you. Apparently you can hear demos but I’ve not done this. Choose whichever way makes sense for your situation.

My message to other authors and performers is obviously that you may very well be able to do this. Of course there is a cost and I’ll let you talk to your audio person about that. For the listener having the author read her own books is kind of exciting people tell me. That coupled with my desire to live up to that old 4-H motto I learned so many years ago–Learn to do by doing–has helped me through much of my writing journey.

The Man Behind the Marathons audio book will be coming in the next weeks. In the meantime here is a link to my trilogy audio books on Amazon. Notice that if you are a new Audible member, you can get your first book free! Pick mine, please! And don’t forget to write me a short review on Amazon and Goodreads.

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The Loyalists in Ontario

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In the latter part of August, my husband and I took a trip to Gananoque, Ontario to see a performance at the theatre there. My sister was one of the actors; hence, our trip to that lovely part of Ontario. On the way, we detoured through Prince Edward County and boarded the Glenora ferry, pictured below.

The ferry goes about every 15 minutes in the summer so our wait was not too long, even though lots of cars were lined up. We filled in the time enjoying the waterfront.

Many sailboats and other craft used the waterway which we had to cross to get to Adolphustown on the road to Kingston, Ontario.

This is Loyalist country and I got to see a U.E.L. cemetery along the way. Here is the Loyalist flag flying above the cemetery which is enclosed by a beautiful metal fence. In the distance you can see the stones of many of the Loyalists buried there. The stones have been cemented into a long monument as a way of preserving this history.

A few of the stones stand on their own.

Here’s a closer view of the fence and of the stones.

I was intrigued by the wording on this sign telling of the coming of the Loyalists to the Kingston area. For my Loyalist trilogy I started the first book in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War that precipitated the flight to Canada of those loyal to Britain, from what had been the Thirteen Colonies and became the United States.

Here is another view of the monument and stones.

Many of the women in those times died early from childbirth and several of the stones showed how young these women were.

The stone below tells the story of a mother dying, presumably in birthing the child who died two months later.

This stone memorializes a “much loved wife”. She lived to be 51 so presumably either didn’t have children or survived that ordeal.

This stone reminds us that though a multitude of stones remain across our land, many markers made of wood have disappeared over the years.

The Frontenac, the first steamship on Lake Ontario, was built near Kingston in the early 1800’s. The sign below and the Canadian Encyclopedia shed light on the ship’s history. I was intrigued to learn that the population of Upper Canada was too small for the ship to make much money and it was about to be scrapped when an arsonist burned it.

This, too, is part of our early Ontario history and the plaque below is near the Loyalist cemetery.

Preserving our Ontario history has become very important to me. Whenever I find efforts to do just that I am thrilled. Those who came before us would be pleased, too.

For my take on the Loyalists, try my Loyalist Trilogy, linked below.

 

 

 

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Rules For Teachers and the Changing Nature of Society

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Grand Bend

In August my husband and I happened to be in Grand Bend, Ontario, so named because of the large bend in Lake Huron right where Grand Bend is located. We had a couple of hours before our theatre event so tried a new restaurant, The Schoolhouse Restaurant. It was really good.

The old school kitch was cute, too, especially this framed list of rules for teachers in 1915. Note that this is from a West Virginia Board of Education:

I’m sure our rules here in Ontario were just as restrictive. The most interesting thing to me is the fact that all of the teachers must have been men unless the males wore dresses!

Isn’t history fun?

I certainly have fun writing my historical novels!

For historical fiction about an earlier time period, try my Loyalist trilogy!

Click image to purchase on Amazon. Available in print, ebook and audio formats.
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Sharon Clare’s In For a Spell Newly Launched!

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In For a Spell (The Magical Matchmaker Series Book 4) by [Clare, Sharon]NOTE: I had intended to post this review on the launch day for In For a Spell but my WordPress decided that I should not be allowed to actually have any of my posts showing on my website. Fixing this has been a nightmare. It seems many people are flummoxed by similar problems and several professionals could not solve the problem. Finally my daughter put me on to a clever lady in Victoria and, once we sorted out passwords and logins, Niki got me back up and running. It’s been about two months! Thanks so much to Niki.

And now the actual post–

Here’s a little taste of some romance, just for a change of pace. Sharon Clare is a lovely writer whom I’ve known since a course we both took a few years ago. She’s a clever and imaginative marketer and, this year, I’ve hired her to do the cover for my latest book, The Man Behind the Marathons. Her work is some of the best I’ve seen.

Sharon Clare’s In For A Spell launched in June follows along beautifully the path set by her previous novels. The mischievous elf, Finn, appears here again and is up to his usual tricks but this time with a twist. He seems to be delving further into just what humans are like.

In true romance style Clare depicts a sexy hero and an interesting heroine but adds Finn’s magic to leave the reader wondering just what will happen with the two major characters. This book is a light romp which manages to teach us a little about time travel and a world from a few hundred years ago. Enjoyable, for sure!

For a look at the other books in the talented Sharon Clare’s extensive library take a trip to her website.

Thanks again, Sharon, for this wonderful cover!

 

The Man Behind the Marathon

Marketing Your Brand New Book–5 Great Ideas to Try

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Having a successful book does not just mean writing it. We all know how important that is but visions of the back closet filled with boxes of books haunt all of us. Every writer needs to find ways to get that book of theirs into as many hands as possible. Here are a few suggestions that I’ve found worked for me.

5 Proven Ideas for Selling Books

Get over your shyness and talk about your work. With my first book I made sure I always had a copy in my purse and a box of books in my car. People couldn’t wait to see what I had written. Gone were the times when I was too shy or humble to talk about being a writer. When you get a question like ‘what are you up to these days?’ recognize that opens the door to your excitement about your new book. So much better than talking about the weather!

From that first foray into telling people about my books I moved to speaking gigs. At first groups called me but when I saw how many books I sold I started offering my speaking services by calling or emailing them. At each one of those gigs, I always set up an attractive display with books, a banner, and sign-ups for my twice monthly newsletter. If it’s a large group I give a free book to someone at the back of the room–maybe it’s for the person who reads historical fiction or who came the farthest to hear me or who answers some question I make up. The point is as I pass the book back to the back of the room all of those passing it have a chance to hold the book and, hopefully, wish they had one of their own.

Prepare your books in various formats. First, I concentrated on finishing the print version and had it ‘perfect bound’ with a great cover. Immediately I researched and settled on two types of e-books: Kindle because it is the giant Amazon’s e-book format and Kobo because at the time I learned that it had 18% of the market in Canada and I live in Canada. Never one to pass up a new idea, I met a clever fellow who lives in the same city as I do but who is a legends singer (John Denver and Glen Campbell among others) so he has a recording studio in his home. Jack London is a dead ringer for John Denver and sings his songs so well. He and I recorded all of my trilogy in his studio and I put them up on Audible.

 

My book which is currently just finished (ten days until the first launch) is The Man Behind the Marathons: How Ron Calhoun Helped Terry Fox and Other Heroes Make Millions for Charity.

This book has its own following because of the famous and semi-famous people I wrote about. My challenge is to capitalize on all of that by telling never-before-told stories that link to heroes we know and some we don’t. I try to hone in on that quality in all of us that recognizes good in others. I’m not interested in denigrating anyone and have told the story as it has been told to me by Ron Calhoun. For most of the 86 years of his life he has been a consummate volunteer.

There are several launches and speaking gigs planned with more joining the list every day. The next six months are going to be wonderfully busy with interviews, workshops, speaking gigs and book sales. I love it all!

And now for the best idea of all! Sell your books in large quantities. This could be a whole post itself as there are many ways to try to achieve sales in large numbers to one buyer. I sold many copies to one company because my book fits in well with their theme at Sports Discovery Camp. All of these people who walked, ran, or “Fox-trotted” across this country had to be fantastic marathoners to achieve their goals so the theme fits in well with Sports Discovery Camp, a division of STEM Camp here in Canada. Here is the ad they used.

Coming soon to Amazon print and Kindle e-books as well as Kobo e-books.

 

Click for website.
The Man Behind the Marathon

The Fun Part!

For every author there are the months and months–in my case, with this book, twenty-two–when the end seems far over the distant hills, almost an insurmountable distance to travel. As in most tasks, though, my lifelong habit of just doing a little every day has brought The Man Behind the Marathons to completion.

I received the first few books last Friday.

Over the next two weeks the rest of my order will be arriving and I’ll have lots to fill all the requests accumulated so far. Thanks so much to all those who have encouraged me to carry on with this story of Ron Calhoun. Those excited emails and comments have made all the difference.

I hope those of you who are close enough will come out to the first major launch on June 24th. My husband and I chose that date to honour Ron Calhoun whose 86th birthday that will be. Here is the open invitation:

Please join us and help us celebrate!

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